Children and War in Uganda
Veronica Buttiglieri
209640871
HUMA 1970 B Worlds of Childhood
Tutorial # 4
Leslie Dadlani
Monday November 17 2008
Introduction to Topic
•Uganda is located in East Africa
•The Lord’s Resistance Army
• Children are abducted as young as eight years old
•Girls as young as twelve are given to the commanders as
“wives” and all are trained how to become soldiers and use
guns.
•Those who attempt to escape are forced to be beaten and killed
by the other abducted children.
Child’s Story
William, ten:
It was at seven p.m. We were in the house, and two of us were abducted. It
was me and my older brother. My mother was crying and they beat her. She
was weakly and I do not know if she is all right at all.
They beat us, then they made me carry some radios and carry the
commander's gun. It was heavy and at first I was afraid it would shoot off in
my arms, but it was not filled with ammunition. We joined a big group and we
walked very far, and my feet were very swollen. If you said that you were
hurting they would say, "Shall we give this young boy a rest?" But by a "rest"
they meant they would kill you, so if you did not wish to die you had to say
you did not need a rest.
Many children tried to escape and were killed. They made us help. I was
afraid and I missed my mother. But my brother was very strong-hearted and
he told me we must have courage, we will not die, so I kept going.
Recent News – October 25 2008
The article “The making of a monster” from the globe and mail is
about a boy, Dominic Ongwen who was abducted by the rebels at
the age of ten and forced to be taught how to fight and be a soldier.
This boy is from Gulu, Uganda. The ICC, international Criminal
Court, is now issued a warrant for the LRA’s leader and other
commanders along with Dominic Ongwen. This is because now
Dominic is older than the age of 18 and can now be charged for his
actions and crimes done.
Course Concepts and Ideas
• Bob Franklin’s article The Case for Children’s Rights
• Power vs. Powerless
• Iqbal and Yeny
• Locke vs. Rousseau
Two Analytical Questions…
1. These children are taken by the rebels as young as nine
with the fear of being killed, and are forced to kill and do as
they are told. If and when they are caught by the ICC when
they are eighteen or older should they be punished and
executed for their crimes committed? For example do you
think Dominic Ongwen is guilty?
2. Do you think that when these children are older they realize
what they are doing is wrong? Because since they were
nine they were taught that the rebels view of life is normal?